ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

An evaluation of thalidomide as an effective corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in hydrochloric acid solution: combined experimental and computational studies

Ashish Rathore, Shikha Sharma, Shobhana Sharma, Abhinay Thakur, Ankit Sharma, and Sushil Kumar Sharma

Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Kota, Kota, India

E-mail: shobhna.sharma51@gmal.com

Received: 9 May 2025  Accepted: 22 September 2025

Abstract:

This study investigates the corrosion inhibition performance of thalidomide on mild steel in 1.0 M HCl solution using gravimetric, electrochemical (PDP and EIS), surface characterization SEM–EDX, AFM, XPS, and quantum chemical (DFT) methods. Thalidomide exhibited maximum inhibition efficiency of 98.71 ± 0.02% at 1600 ppm, with potentiodynamic polarization indicating mixed-type inhibition dominated by anodic behavior. EIS analysis revealed a significant increase in charge transfer resistance, suggesting the formation of a stable protective layer. Thermodynamic studies confirmed spontaneous adsorption following the Langmuir isotherm, whereas surface morphology using XPS, AFM, and SEM–EDX verified the development of a corrosion-inhibiting layer. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations further validated the experimental observations, indicating a strong interaction between thalidomide molecules and the steel surface. These findings establish thalidomide as a highly effective corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in acidic environments.

Graphical abstract

Keywords: Thalidomide; Potentiodynamic polarization; Langmuir adsorption isotherm; EIS; Quantum chemical methods

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-025-04400-1

Chemical Papers 80 (1) 403–424 (2026)